Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted, effective from January 28, 2011. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a maximum schedular rating under DC 8100.

The Veteran's headaches with vertigo are rated at 50% for the entire appeal period, which is the maximum schedular rating due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, sleep apnea, headaches, neck pain, lower back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of VA examinations and opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for low back disability, left foot disability, migraines, and insomnia. The Veteran’s tinnitus is found to be related to her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for meningitis, chronic sinusitis, encephalopathy, skin cancer, Parkinson's disease, headaches, lumbar spine DDD, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, neck stiffness, disability manifested by spitting blood, acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and gait ataxia. The Board also remanded for additional development regarding outstanding records from the James Haley VAMC and Social Security Administration.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for headaches and left knee disability, but denied reopening of the claim for lumbar spine disability. Service connection is granted for headaches, but not for lumbar spine or left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, hypertension, and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to incomplete VA clinical documentation. The effective dates for service connection remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder have been granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent each. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, breast cancer residuals, back condition, left hip condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, and vitiligo have been denied.,The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for joint pain. The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, headaches, gout, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and Bell’s Palsy due to incomplete records and the need for medical opinions regarding possible causation.

The Veteran is granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected major depressive disorder and headaches. He is also granted special monthly compensation for need of aid and attendance of another person, but not housebound status.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 16, 2008 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain and left knee DJD, as well as his claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal and migraine have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, right shoulder, tinnitus, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and headache disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen their previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), blackout disability, and spasm of the temples is granted. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder, including Meniere’s syndrome and vestibular migraine, is caused by his service-connected disabilities. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, particularly from the Veteran's National Guard service and his active duty periods. The case will be returned after further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression, a headache disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are granted. The claim for residuals of a cervical spine injury is reopened but denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee iliotibial band syndrome, right knee iliotibial band syndrome, and headaches have been granted. A 10 percent initial rating has also been granted for the Veteran's left ankle disability.